Edgar Berlanga scored an impressive sixth round stoppage over Padraig McCrory in a 12-round super middleweight bout of undefeated fighters at the Caribe Royale

In round six, a little cut developed over the right eye of Berlanga. Late in the round, Berlanga landed two crushing right’s with the second being flush on the chin that put McCrory down and badly hurt. As McCrory tried to get up, his corner threw in the towel at 2:44.

Berlanga, 167.8 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 22-0 with 17 knockouts. McCrory, 167.8 lbs of Belfast, NI is 18-1.

Andy Cruz Decisions Zamarripa

Ballyhooed prospect Andy Cruz won a 10-round unanimous decision over Brayan Zamarripa in a lightweight bout.

In round six, Zamarripa began to bleed around his left eye.

Cruz landed 240 of 611 punches. Zamarripa was 34 of 247.

Cruz, 135 lbs of Mantanzas, CUB won by scores of 100-90 on all cards and is now 3-0. Zamarripa, 135 lbs of Ensenada, MEX is 14-3.

Giyasov Defeats Cano By Technical Decision

Shakhram Giyasov defeated Pablo Cesar Cano via technical unanimous decision when Cano was injured after the 11th round of their 12-rund welterweight fight.

In round three, Giyasov dropped Cano with a vicious left hook to the body.

At the end of round 11, Giyasov dropped Cano after the bell. It was ruled no-knockdown, but Cano hurt his leg and could not continue. The fight went to the scorecards.

Giyasov landed 109 of 466 punches. Cano was 82 of 431.

The scorecards read 109-99 on all cards for Giyasov, 146.8 lbs of Uzbekistan and is now 15-0. Cano, 146.2 lbs of Mexico is 35-9-1.

Antonio Vargas Stops Jonathan Rodriguez in a War

Antonio Vargas stopped Jonathan in eight seven-packed round in a 12-round bantamweight fight.

In round one, Rodriguez connected with an overhand right to the chin that put Vargas on the canvas. In round two, the right eye of Rodriguez began to swell. Later in the round, Vargas began to land some hard combinations and was able to even up the fight sending Rodriguez to a knee. The score was short lived as Vargas hit Rodriguez while he was down and was deducted two points. In round four, a left hook by Rodriguez buckled Vargas.

At the end of round eight, Vargas unloaded a huge left hook that was followed by a right hand that put Rodriguez on the deck. Rodriguez got to his feet, went to the corner and the fight was wisely stopped.

Vargas, 117.6 lbs of Kissimmee, FL is 18-1 with 10 knockouts. Rodriguez, 118 lbs of Bethlehem, PA is 17-2-1.

Yankiel Rivera Decisions Andy Dominguez

In a fantastic bout of undefeated flyweights, Yankiel Rivera held on to win a 10-round unanimous decision over Andy Dominguez.

Rivera cut up and shut the right eye of Dominguez, but in round nine Dominguez made a furious rally and hurt Rivera on at least two occasions. Rivera was hanging on and was reeling back. Rivera was able to get out of the round and go the distance and win by 99-91 on all catds.

Rivera, 111.8 lbs of Toa Alta, PR is now 5-0. Dominguez, 111.6 lbs of Las Vegas is 10-1.

Joseph Fernandez won an eight-round unanimous decision over Aaron Aponte in a super lightweight fight.

In round seven, Fernandez was cut along the right eyebrow from a headbutt.

Fernandez, 140.4 lbs of Saint Petersburg, FL won by scores of 78-74 twice and 77-75 and is now 18-5-3. Aponte, 141 lbs of Hialeah, FL is 8-2-1.

Cuban sensation Andy Cruz will defend his World Boxing Association (WBA) Continental Latin America crown against Mexican Bryan Zamarripa this Saturday at the Caribe Royale Hotel in Orlando, Florida. 

The 28-year-old lightweight fighter will be making his third professional fight and the first defense of his WBA regional belt. 

Cruz won the belt on December 9 when he defeated Jovanni Straffon by knockout in three rounds during their fight in San Francisco. After a short break, the Antillean is ready for his return and intends to keep the crown in his possession. 

His opponent this time will be Zamarripa, a tough Mexican who has good experience and has won 11 of his last 12 fights. The 26 year old fighter knocked out Giovanni De Jesus in his last fight held on December 16, in Baja California, so he is in good shape for this fight. 

Cruz has 2 wins, 1 via fast track, while Zamarripa has 14 wins and 2 losses.

By Mario Ortega Jr. (Ringside)

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA  — The former unified lightweight champion Devin Haney impressed in his 140-pound debut, issuing Regis Prograis the most one-sided defeat of his career en route to claiming the WBC light welterweight title before his hometown crowd.

Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada was just too much of everything for Prograis (29-2, 24 KOs) of Houston, Texas by way of New Orleans, Louisiana over the twelve rounds.

After a feeling out opening stanza, the fight was all Haney. In the second round, Haney, 140, began to find the angles he needed to land, which he did with one right uppercut in particular.

Early in the third, Haney scored a knockdown with a lead right over the top of Prograis’ guard.

Prograis, 139, came out for the fourth on steady legs, but the challenger continued to give him a boxing lesson as the fight wore on. Haney landed a crisp one-two combination to punctuate the fourth round.

Haney continued to blister Prograis with combinations in the fifth round, while also putting some money in the bank via a body attack.

The one-two worked again for Haney as he rocked Prograis back on his heels with less than a minute to go in the sixth.

The pace slowed in the seventh, with Prograis was unwilling to let his hands go. The referee and the ringside doctor took a long look in the Prograis’ corner prior to the eighth.

Haney led the action in the eighth and ninth, but with less and less to counter, the Bay Area native was content to box and move. With a minute to go in the ninth, Prograis over extended himself with a left and Haney made him pay with a clubbing right that excited the crowd.

Haney seemed satisfied sending the bout to the cards as he exhibited some flashy defense in the championship rounds, but never pressed for the stoppage as he outboxed Prograis from bell-to-bell.

In the end, all three judges scored the shutout for Haney, 120-107. The question now is where does Haney go next. 140-pounds is one of the deepest divisions in boxing, but the Haneys have already floated designs on the welterweight division. Promoter Eddie Hearn floated the name of Ryan Garcia after the bout, but that seems like an unlikely prospect.

In the final appetizer before the main event, WBO #11 ranked light welterweight Liam Paro scored two knockdowns early in the sixth en route to stopping Montana Love midway through the round.

Paro (24-0, 15 KOs) of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and Love (18-1-1, 9 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio fought on even terms early in the fight. There was not much to distinguish the two as the boo birds derided the lack of early action. 

Things heated up a bit more late in the fifth, but it was the sixth where the fight took a quick turn. Paro, 140, landed clean with a left uppercut that sent Love, 140, to the seat of his pants for the first knockdown. 

When action resumed, Paro moved in aggressively, eventually landing a straight left that sent Love down for a second time. Love made it to his feet, but when Paro forced him into a neutral corner with a flurry, Love covered up for too long for referee Thomas Taylor’s liking. The referee stopped the fight at 1:49 of round six.

With the win, Paro, who had a scheduled title bout against Regis Prograis slip between his fingers due to injury earlier this year, claimed the vacant regional WBO Intercontinental 140-pound title.

Cruz Takes out Straffon in 3

Fast-rising lightweight prospect Andy Cruz (2-0, 1 KO) of Miami, Florida by way of Matanzas, Matanzas, Cuba completely steamrolled normally durable Jovanni Straffon (26-6-1, 19 KOs) of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico en route to a third-round stoppage. 

Cruz, 134.4, let loose with both hands from the opening bell. It was all Straffon, 134, could do to weather the onslaught. The second round was especially one-sided, as Cruz straffed Straffon with everything in his arsenal.

Early in the third round, Cruz pressed Straffon into a neutral corner, landing clean with both hands. Having seen enough of the mismatch, referee Edward Collantes leaped in to stop the bout at :53 of the third round. 

With the win, Cruz successfully defended his IBF International lightweight title and claimed the vacant WBA Continental Latin America lightweight title. 

Yoshida Upsets Bridges to Claim Bantamweight Title

Coming in on short notice, Miyo Yoshida (17-4) of New York, New York by way of Kagoshima, Kagoshima, Japan upset media darling Ebanie Bridges (9-2, 4 KOs) of New South Wales, Australia to claim the IBF bantamweight championship by ten-round unanimous decision. 

Yoshida, 117.6, was in the face of the champion Bridges, 117.8, from the get-go and never took a backward step. Yoshida, despite having campaigned mainly in the 115-pound super flyweight division throughout her career, looked like the bigger fighter and landed the harder shots.

Bridges, fighting for the first time in a year with a surgically-repaired right hand,  never was able to force Yoshida into any sort of retreat and ate the more eye-catching shots as they exchanged throughout a fight fought completely on the inside. 

Yoshida, who entered the ring as the IBF #10 ranked bantamweight and had fought just one month ago in a losing effort to Shurretta Metcalf, closed out the fight strong and raised her hands in celebration as the final bell rang. In the end, all three judges scored the fight wide for Yoshida by scores of 97-93 and 99-91 twice

Middleweight prospect Amari Jones (11-0, 10 KOs) of Las Vegas by way of Oakland, California was impressive in his Bay Area homecoming as he stopped tough veteran Quilisto Madera (14-5, 9 KOs) of Stockton, California in the fifth-round. 

Jones, 159.2 controlled Madera, 160, in the opening round with his jab. As the fight progressed into round three, Jones’ right hand came more into play and became the dominant punch of the fight. 

The end of round four got Jones’ home crowd excited as a right hand snapped Madera’s head back against the turnbuckle and set off an exchange along the ropes. 

Jones picked right up where he left off early in the fifth. With Jones landing clean, two-handed combinations as Madera backed against the ropes, referee Thomas Taylor leaped in to stop the fight. Official time of the stoppage was 1:44 of the fifth round. 

Beatriz Ferreira (4-0, 2 KOs) of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil saw her own blood for the first time as a professional en route to an eight-round stoppage of a game Destiny Jones (5-2, 2 KOs) of Austin, Texas.

Ferreira, 130, found a willing opponent in Jones, 129.8, who had her moments throughout the bout. Ferreira is just a fearless punching machine and Jones had to work hard to keep pace. Twice Ferreira knocked Jones’ mouthpiece out, once with a right late in the second and again in the fourth.

After Jones drew blood with an accidental elbow late in round four, Ferreira seemed more determined to go for the stoppage as the fight progressed. Ferreira eventually landed with a sweeping left hook with seconds to go in round seven that dropped Jones, who was leaning that way.

At the beginning of round eight, Jones did not react well when asked to touch gloves and referee Edward Collantes asked the doctor for a look. On the advice of the doctor, Collantes stopped the bout. Official time of stoppage was :05 of round eight.

In the opening bout, Shamar Canal (7-0, 4 KOs) of Albany, New York continued his rise with a dominant six-round unanimous decision over veteran Jose Antonio Meza (8-9, 2 KOs) of Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico. 

Canal, 132, had too many dimensions for the durable Meza. After comfortably outboxing Meza, 131.8, over the early rounds, Canal pressed on the gas in the last two and finally broke through with a straight right that dropped the Mexican native late in the sixth. All three judges were in agreement on the shutout, 60-53.

Liam Paro and Montana Love will clash for the WBO Global Jr. Welterweight title, Cuban star Andy Cruz returns against Hector Tanajara and Ebanie Bridges defends her IBF World Bantamweight title against fellow Australian Avril Mathie on the undercard of the blockbuster WBC 140lb title clash between Devin Haney and Regis Prograis at Chase Center in San Francisco on December 9, live on DAZN PPV in North America and on DAZN worldwide. TICKETS ARE ON SALE AT CHASECENTER.COM Paro (23-0 14 KOs) will be itching to get in the ring and put on a big performance after agonizingly missing out on a World title shot against headline star Prograis in June. Injury ruled the Australian out of the contest, but now the unbeaten 27 year old gets to stake his claim for World title action in 2024 against Love, and steps back into the ring for the first time in over a year having blasted away Brock Jarvis inside a round as the top of the bill act in Matchroom’s first ever Australian show in October 2022 in his Queensland hometown. “Love is just another guy trying to get in the way of where I want to be and I’m not going to settle for that,” said Paro. “Next year, I want that World title! But for now, December 9 is only thing on my mind.” For Love (18-1-1 9 KOs) it is back-to-back Australian foes as the Cleveland ace gets back into action following a controversial homecoming clash with Stevie Spark in November, where Love was DQ’d. The 28 year old will be eager to get back to winning ways in San Francisco and get back into the World title mix, making this 140lb clash must-win for both men. “When you pray for rain you, gotta deal with the mud,” said Love. “December 9, Love hurts.” Cruz (1-0) made his hotly anticipated pro debut in July in Detroit, comfortably outpointing Juan Carlos Burgos to pick up the IBF strap that he defends in December. The former Cuban amateur sensation, who struck Olympic gold at the 2020 games, can add the WBA Continental Latin-Americas title to his collection in his second pro outing, but faces a stiff test against San Antonio’s Tanajara (21-1-1 6 KOs).  “The wait is over!” said Cruz. “I’m more than ready to get back into the ring and make it rock. I came here to fight the best, so I ask them, who would be the brave ones to take on my challenge and join the action? Let’s talk about challenges!” “I’m excited to be fighting on DAZN on a great card,” said Tanajara. “I would like to thank Matchroom for the opportunity. We will be more than ready come Dec 9, to give the fans a great show and bring home the win to San Antonio.”There is more World title action on the card as Bridges (9-1 4 KOs) makes a long-awaited return to the ring against Mathie (8-1-1 3 KOs). Fight night will be one day shy of a year since Bridges successfully defended her title for the first time in her adopted UK home of Leeds, where she stopped another Australian, Shannon O’Connell, in the eighth. The 37 year old became IBF champion in in March 2022 in the same arena against Maria Cecelia Roman, and has expressed her desire to unify the titles – but will need to take another Aussie scalp in Mathie, who will be looking to bounce back from tasting defeat to Ramla Ali in New York in February. “If Avril thinks because it’s December and it’s the beginning of the holiday season, she’ll be going home with an early Christmas present she is sadly mistaken,” said Bridges. “After the fight and my hand is raised in victory it’s going to look like she’s celebrating Halloween. I intend to put on a show for the fans live in San Francisco, on DAZN and all over the world.” “I am beyond excited to be challenging for the IBF bantamweight title on December 9, and on such a big card in front of what looks like will be a sold-out arena in San Francisco,” said Mathie. “I am confident people will be seeing the best version of me to date. Everything leading up to this fight has prepared me both mentally and physically to leave San Francisco with that championship belt.  “I am expecting the best version of Ebanie that night as well, which I know is going to make this fight an absolute banger and be a huge win for women’s boxing overall. I want to thank Eddie Hearn, Matchroom, DAZN and my manager Peter Kahn for making this fight a reality. I would also like to thank Ebanie for giving me the opportunity to challenge for the World title.” Brazilian star Beatriz Ferreira (3-0 1 KO) fights for the second time in 2023 after a shut-out win against Karla Zamora in Sheffield, England in July and meets Texan Destiny Jones (5-1 2 KOs) over eight rounds, while Oakland native Amari Jones (9-0 8 KOs) moves into double figures in the paid ranks and does so over eight rounds at Middleweight against Californian Quilisto Madera (14-4 9 KOs).

Alycia Baumgardner avenged her only professional blemish and retained the Undisputed Super Featherweight Title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Christina Linardatou at The Masonic Temple in Detroit.

It was a fight that had solid action as Baumgardner landed some hard shots. Linardatou tried to punch with Baumgardner, but the reigning champion was faster and landed the more impactful blows.

Baumgardner, 129.4 lbs of Detroit won by scores of 99-91 and 98-92 twice and is now 15-1. Linardatou, 129.8 lbs of Athens, GRE is 14-3.

Andy Cruz Decisions Former World Title Challenger Burgos in Pro Debut

Andy Cruz made a successful pro debut with a 10-rond unanimous decision over former three-time world title challenger Juan Carlos Burgos in a lightweight bout.

Cruz, 134.6 lbs of Matanzas, CUB won by scores of 100-90 twice and 98-92 and is 1-0. Burgos, 134.2 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 35-8-3,

Jermaine Franklin Decisions Isaac Munoz

Jermaine Franklin won a 10-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Isaac Munoz in a heavyweight bout.

Franklin, 241.2 lbs of Saginaw, MI won by scores of 100-90 twice and is 99-91 and is now 22-2. Munoz, 257.4 lbs of Mexico City is 17-1-1.

Jar’Rico O’Quinn Decisions Carlos Mujica

Ja’Rico O’Quinn won a 10-round unanimous decision over Carlos Mujica in a super-bantamweight contest.

In round five, Mujica was cut around his left eye.

It was a close fight yet a judge did not think so by giving O’Quinn a 100-90 victory. Two other judges saw the fight 97-93 and 96-94.

O’Quinn of Detroit is 16-1-1. Mujica, 122.6 lbs of Caracas, VEN is 8-3.

Andy Cruz will step through the ropes for the first time as a professional on Saturday night in Detroit at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, live worldwide on DAZN – and the Cuban star says his drive to replicate his amateur success is all for his family.
 
Cruz struck gold at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo in the Lightweight division against Keyshawn Davis in the delayed games in August 2021 and added an incredible third straight AIBA World Championship gold at Light-Welterweight in Serbia three months later, putting that medal next to those he landed at the World Championships in Germany and Russia in 2017 and 2019.
 
The 28 year old signed a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn in May, and on Saturday night will face Juan Carlos Burgos (35-7-3 21 KOs) over ten rounds for the IBF International Lightweight title. The experienced and rugged Mexican took Cruz’s old foe Davis the eight round distance in December and has never been stopped, ensuring the world gets to see Cruz tested in his very first outing as a pro – just what the man himself wants, as he looks to provide a solid future for his family.
 
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, and since I’m here, I want to take advantage of it,” said Cruz. “It feels spectacular to be back in the ring. 
 
“A few years ago, I’d never thought this could happen. I had other projects in my life, but well, life, everything happens for a reason, and today here I am.
 
“After everything that has happened, the timing is perfect. In life, everything happens for a reason, and I am going to make it all worthwhile. I can’t wait for Saturday night, it’s going to be brilliant, a tough fight to start with by I’m excited for that.
 
“I had a hard time convincing my family to let me become a fighter, especially my Mum. She said I was very skinny, and that they were going to disfigure me. But I always had a passion for combat sports, and I knew if I tried I could do it, because I’ve always been good at doing things that I like. 
 
“As a humble town and united people, they are supportive about what their people do. I lived with my Mum and brother, my Dad lived nearby but not in the same place. We were a humble family, we weren’t wealthy, but my Mum worked very hard to give everything and to keep us happy. 
 
“I didn’t work, my Mum made sure that I always went to school and that I only thought about my studies. I like Karate, I really like music and singing. I like ballad songs and reggaeton. I have several facets, I did a few concerts in Cuba while I was there, when I was resting, I was making music – I am not as good at music as I am a boxer, but I can defend myself!
 
“To start boxing, I had to make a promise to my Mum – it was that if she let me be a boxer, I was going to be Olympic champion and win all the tournaments that came my way, that is how I convinced her, that I was never going to lose.
 
“To achieve that dream of winning Olympic gold, I was firstly keeping my promise to my Mum. I celebrated with my family and friends, and then I was in the World Champioships. And I started to think different things and wanted new challenges in my life. 
 
“Cuba is different – the tournaments there aren’t good economically. It was frustrating, one of the big reasons to get into boxing was to take care of my family, to be able to guarantee a better future for me and my children. 
 
“I had already won all the titles, and I wasn’t able to accomplish everything that I wanted to have my family be as comfortable as I needed or guarantee that future, and that’s when I realized I had to change. 
 
“Being away from my son is one of the hardest things that has ever happened to me. This is one of the best stages of life, watching your child growing up, and I’m not getting that opportunity. 
 
“It’s been many months since I saw my son, maybe six months. It’s not clear to me when I will see him against, but I am working on it, to see him as soon as possible, I want to see him, but I cannot as I’ve only just arrived in America. 
 
“Now, I am focused on my sport, in making history here, but I do think at some point I may need to go back to Cuba to see my son or try to move here with him.” 
 
Cruz’s pro bow is part of a big night of action in Detroit as hometown star Alycia Baumgardner defends her undisputed Super-Featherweight title against Christina Linardatou – the Greek who inflicted the only defeat of Baumgardner’s career in 2018.
 
Michigan Heavyweight Jermaine Franklin returns to action after back-to-back fights in London, England against Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, and he faces unbeaten Mexican Issac Munoz, while the night is kicked-off live on DAZN by Detroit’s Ja’Rico O’Quinn taking on Carlos Mujica over ten rounds at Featherweight.

Alycia Baumgardner will defend her undisputed World Super-Featherweight title against Christina Linardatou at The Masonic Temple Detroit in Detroit, Michigan on Saturday July 15, live worldwide on DAZN – as bitter rivals Richardson Hitchins and Montana Love clash, and Cuban amateur sensation Andy Cruz makes his pro debut.
 
Baumgardner (14-1 7 KOs) puts all the belts at 130lbs on the line for the second time after a dominant performance over Elhem Mekhaled in New York in February, a first defense in the Big Apple coming after a massive win to claim all the belts in London against fierce rival Mikaela Mayer in October. The big nights just keep coming for ‘The Bomb’ and now it’s home time as she fights in Detroit for the first time in the paid ranks – and has a score to settle against Linardatou, who handed Baumgardner her sole defeat in July 2018.
 
Linardatou (14-2 6 KOs) is aiming to become a three-time World ruler and break Baumgardner’s heart once again, five years after a split decision win over eight rounds in Louisville. That win for the Greek preceded her claiming her first World title at Super-Lightweight against Kandi Wyatt in March 2019, having previously challenged Delfine Persoon for the World Lightweight title in June 2016. The 35 year old defended the crown against Deanha Hobbs in June 2019 in Athens, before Katie Taylor took the title in Manchester, England in November 2019. Linardatou reclaimed the vacant title three months later against Prisca Vicot in Indiana and returned to action in July with a six round win in Greece. 
 
“It was a blessing to be able to fight overseas in front of an international audience to unify titles; and then to finally become undisputed   in my home country at MSG, was so amazing!” said Baumgardner. “But to come back home to the Midwest, where I grew up, where I learned how to work, where my life was shaped, where my faith was forged, and then to headline in my adopted home of Detroit for my first undisputed title defense; I am truly realizing a dream come true.  
 
“In one of the world’s most storied cities for boxing, I get to put on show and show out in front of the people who’ve supported me and know me best. I get to thank the region that helped make me who I am. I get to show the world that a little girl from Fremont, came back home as the Undisputed Champion of the World, and let all those other midwestern little girls like me know that they can reach any dream they can imagine.”
 
“I think it’s going to be a great fight with me and Alycia,” said Linardatou. “It’s going to be much better than the first one. She has shown signs of improvement, but I have a new purpose to fight for – my son. 
 
“And as much as she improved with her skills, her ego and head has grown with it. She does a lot of things for social media and to get attention. I’m doing this for the legacy of my son. See you July 15, chump – I mean champ.”
 
A stacked undercard in support of Baumgardner’s homecoming sees fireworks guaranteed as bitter rivals Richardson Hitchins and Montana Love clash for Hitchin’s IBF North American and USWBC Super-Lightweight titles.
 
Hitchins (16-0 7 KOs) is rising up the rankings at 140lbs and boxes for the third time in eight months since joining forces with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom. The Brooklyn man was punch-perfect in his last outing, dominating John Bauza over ten rounds in New York in February, following a eighth round stoppage win over Yomar Alamo in Cleveland in November. 
 
Love (18-1-1 9 KOs) headlined on that night in his Cleveland hometown against Steve Spark in a fight that ended in controversial circumstances, as a tangle on the rope appeared to end in Love lifting Spark over the ropes, leading to a disqualification. Love now seeks to get back into contention to meet the contenders and champions at 140lbs, and while no greater incentive is needed, Hitchins and Love clashed at the press conference in Cleveland and there’s no love lost between the pair leading up to this high-stakes battle.
 
“It’s done – finally,” said Hitchins. “This is the fight I have been wanting since I signed with Matchroom and finally we’ve got him. 
 
“To say there is bad blood between us is an understatement. This is personal for me. I genuinely cannot stand the guy and come July 15; he’s going to feel all that anger come out. This is my time. This is going to be a showcase performance for me and put me in line for a World title. 
 
“He isn’t on my level. He doesn’t belong in the ring with me. I’m giving him this opportunity for no other reason than that I want to smash him to pieces.”
 
“I’m gonna give you this ass whoopin’ you been asking for,” said Love. “This is just the fight I need to get back into the mix, and when I deal with him, I’ll be back on track for World titles.”
 
Fresh from signing a promotional deal with Hearn and Matchroom, Cuban amateur sensation Andy Cruz will make his pro debut on the bill over ten rounds at Lightweight against Juan Carlos Burgos.
 
Cruz struck gold at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo in the Lightweight division against Keyshawn Davis in the delayed games in August 2021 and added an incredible third straight AIBA World Championship gold at Light-Welterweight in Serbia three months later, putting that medal next to those he landed at the World Championships in Germany and Russia in 2017 and 2019.
 
The 27 year old is wasting no time in getting into the groove in the paid ranks, and does so against the experienced Burgos (35-7-3 21 KOs) who took Davis the eight round distance in his last outing in December and drew over ten rounds with highly ranked Lightweight Angel Fierro last March. 
 
“I’m pumped and ready,” said Cruz. “Everything I wanted is about to become a reality. Now, it is time for me to show the world what I am made of. I want to give my fans the best of me, and I’m ready to do in pro boxing the same I did in the amateurs, be the best in the World!”
 
“What a night this is going to be – and I am so thrilled for Alycia,” said Hearn. “It’s poetic that we have announced this card just before Katie Taylor finally gets her homecoming in Dublin tonight, as great champions deserve to fight in front of their hometown fans and that’s exactly what Alycia gets on July 15 – with the added spice of being able to right the only loss on her record, I’ve no doubt ‘The Bomb’ is going to produce something special in Detroit.
 
“To say Richardson and Montana do not like each other is an understatement, and they finally get the chance to get their hands on each other in the ring. The build-up will be ferocious, and will come to the boil on fight night, but cool heads will be needed when they step through the ropes as this is a vital clash in the 140lbs division.
 
“And last but by no means least, welcome to the paid ranks, Andy Cruz. Fans who get their hands on a ticket for this brilliant night of action will witness the first steps of a fighter I believe will win World titles at multiple weights and walk into the hall of fame – but every journey starts with a single step, and Juan Carlos is a tough Mexican that’s never been stopped and has mixed in great company, it’s a great test on what will be the first of many epic nights for Andy in the pro game.”
 
An announcement on ticket on-sale dates will be made soon.
 

Cuban amateur sensation Andy Cruz has signed a long-term deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom.   Cruz struck gold at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo in the Lightweight division against Keyshawn Davis in the delayed games in August 2021 and added an incredible third straight AIBA World Championship gold at Light-Welterweight in Serbia three months later, putting that medal next to those he landed at the World Championships in Germany and Russia in 2017 and 2019.   The 27 year old, who also won two Pan American Games gold medals in 2015 and 2019, leaves behind a storied career in the amateur code and turns his focus to the paid ranks, with promoter Eddie Hearn looking to unleash the Cuban into the professional scene in July, where he will start his assault at Lightweight.   “Thank God in the last two years, I have matured a lot as a person, and I have realized that every minute is important,” said Cruz. “That will be the type of fighter you will see in me, the fighter who wants to make the most of every opportunity that comes his way. The boxer who will not only enjoys what he does but who will do it knowing that he is not doing it just for himself, that he also does it for the team that helped him get to where he is, but above all for the public that never even abandoned him in the most difficult moments.   “The worst is over, I’m here and for the first time in a long time I feel that what I’m going to do with my career will benefit me not only personally but will also benefit my family and my family already suffered too much because of me. Now it’s their turn to enjoy my sacrifice to the fullest, and I promise you all will see a fighter who will sacrifice to the fullest to reach the top of professional boxing.   “Special thanks to New Champion Promotions for teaming with Eddie and Matchroom to help me achieve my dreams as a professional boxer. I now have the best promotion company in the world in my corner. I also want to thank everyone who has helped me get here. I will exceed any expectations you had of me.”   “I am delighted to welcome Andy to the stable,” said Hearn. “Andy is one of the most sought-after fighters to make the switch to the pro code, and we are honored to be trusted with the career of such a talented man.   “We’re completely on the same page with Andy and his team, we want to grow his profile and showcase him on the biggest cards; but we also know that a man of this talent will move fast in the sport, and we could be seeing him in massive fights sooner rather than later.   “One day this maybe our greatest ever signing, I would bet on Andy to beat any 135lber on the planet now!”